3. Nature of IPC
Interdependent – takes place between
people who have an established
relationship
Relationship – The relationship
influences the communication… and
the communication influences the
relationship
4. Nature of IPC
Continuum that ranges from
impersonal to interpersonal (intimate)
◦ Role vs Personal info
◦ Societal vs Personal rules
◦ Social vs Personal messages
5. Nature of IPC
Verbal & Nonverbal Messages
Forms – Synchronous and
asynchronous
Choice Points
6. Elements of IPC
Source-receiver
◦ Competence
Encoding-decoding
Message
◦ Metamessages
Feedback
Feedforward
Channel
8. Nature of IPC
Some communication messages are
more effective than other messages
9. Principles of IPC
1. IPC is a transactional process
2. IPC is purposeful
3. IPC is ambiguous
4. IP relationships are symmetrical or
complementary
10. Principles
5. IPC refers to content and relationship
6. IPC is a series of punctuated events
7. IPC is inevitable, irreversible,
unrepeatable
11. IPC refers to Content and
Relationship
This is one that is often confusing –
see p 22 – 23 for an example
conversation with both dimensions…
12. Content vs Relationship
All IP communication has both
elements
◦ Example:
Your favorite movie is “Titanic”
Your friend says “Oh that movie is so stupid”
Your feelings are hurt b/c you interpret that to
mean your friend thinks you are stupid.
Your friend doesn’t understand – the opinion
was about the movie, not you.
13. Content: Titanic is a stupid movie
Relationship: Does that mean you
think I’m stupid!?!?
Lesson: We have to be careful not to
add content that isn’t there, but also
think about how our comments impact
the relationship.
14. Principles
5. IPC refers to content and relationship
6. IPC is a series of punctuated events
7. IPC is inevitable, irreversible,
unrepeatable
